It’s been a rough year for Auburn, but so far, its recruiting class is staying intact.

The Tigers have gone from a September team that had second-half leads over highly ranked LSU and Clemson to a program that hasn't put up much of a fight in recent games against Georgia and Texas A&M. The stands aren't full anymore, the team is 2-8, and negativity surrounds the program and its head coach, Gene Chizik.

But a nucleus of Sporting News Top 125 recruits remains intact, and the 2013 signing class still has 18 members—players who see a chance to help turn things around as early as next season. Highly regarded Reuben Foster is still on board after switching from Alabama earlier this year, and Dee Liner, Carl Lawson, Jordan Wilkins and Tashawn Bower are still around, too.

“If there was a coaching change at Auburn, I would be hurt,” Foster told ESPN.com. “It’s crazy how they are talking about changing the coaching staff and getting rid of Coach Chizik. I am going to be said, and I will be mad.”

Foster said other schools have picked up recruiting him, especially Georgia. Foster transferred to Auburn High School prior to his senior season from Troup County High School in LaGrange, Ga., which is less than an hour from Auburn.

Bower is a defensive end out of Immaculata High School in Somerville (N.J.). He has been sort of an unofficial spokesman for the program for much of the time since picking the Tigers in June.

"We're just going through a grind right now," Bower told Sporting News. "I love that no matter what goes on, this team and the people outside of the team are a family no matter what happens. I think that it will be a one-year thing, with a new defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator, it takes time to learn. I think it's awesome that there's a national title just two years ago, but like I said, these things can happen and the SEC is such a tough conference to play in."